…says perpetrators’ll be fished out, dealt with

Dapo Abiodun, the Executive Governor of Ogun State has assured the family of the slain Director of Finance and Administration in the Governor’s Office, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi and people of the state that the perpetrators behind the killing will be caught and brought to justice.

The Governor also said that his administration would take full responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of the family Oyekanmi left behind.

Governor Abiodun stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the home of the deceased former director on Thursday.

Recall that Mr. Oyekanmi was attacked and murdered on Wednesday within the Abeokuta metropolis while on an official assignment.

The Governor Abiodun described the deceased as diligent, hardworking, honest, and God fearing.

He said that the Governor’s Office and the entire state workforce have been devastated by the killing, assuring that everything possible will be done to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“How could we imagine yesterday morning that we will be here this morning condoling with this family.

“We are all heavily burdened, the pain not describable. He left us asking questions since yesterday afternoon.

“Taiwo was very hardworking, very dedicated, diligent, honest, unassuming, a man who loved God, who served God, very humble. He was very conscientious.

“Let me assure you that we will do everything within my power to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.

“I will not leave any stone unturned until these criminals are arrested and dealt with; that much I also promise.

“I want to assure the members of his family, particularly his wife and children, that we will not leave you.

“We will take full responsibility for your welfare and for your wellbeing,” Prince Abiodun said.

He noted that the death of Oyekanmi was a painful reminder that life is a journey, adding that the deceased lived a life of impact, touched everybody, and is well respected by everyone.

Responding on behalf of the family of the deceased his younger brother, Tayo Oyekanmi thanked the governor for the visit even as he said destiny has been shattered, dreams cut short, not only in the family, but the entire Ifonyintedo community in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

He urged the governor to unravel the people behind the killing in no distant time to assuage the pains of the family.

Rafiu Alarape of Silverbird Television in Ogun State on Wednesday emerged champion of the maiden edition of Ogun State SWAN/Tokunbo Talabi Table Tennis Championship, smiling home with a cash prize of $50.

The Silverbird Television staff defeated Afolabi Sobande of Radio Nigeria/ Paramount FM, Abeokuta by three sets to two in a keenly contested final played inside the Iwe-Iroyin hall of the Ogun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abeokuta, the State capital

Alarape had lost the first set 8-11 before winning the next two sets 12-10 and 11-9 but failed to win the fourth set, losing 10-12, to put final scores at two sets apiece

He however came forcefully into the decisive set with a hard earned 11-8 win to clinch the trophy and star cash prize of $50 while Sobande finished in the second position with a prize money of $30

To quality for final, Alarape defeated Segun Folarin of Paramount FM Abeokuta in the semi-final while Sobande beat Sunday Adenekan of Ogun State Television (OGTV) in other semi-final of the tournament

Both Adenekan and Folarin who are joint third placed winners went home with a cash prize of $20

Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi who is the financial of the tournament, was full of excitement with the level of participation of members of the state branch of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN)

The SSG who was represented by Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Finance, Mr. Bayo Adenekan, expressed the commitment of the present administration to development of sports to continue to discover great talents and stars from the state such as Segun Torinola, Kehinde Okenla in table tennis, Tobi Amusan who is the world 110m hurdle record holder and the likes

The State SWAN Chairman, Michael Azeez-Ogunsiji appealed to SSG for continuous sponsorship of the tournament annually to promote the game among members

He expressed the readiness of members to make the tournament more competitive, saying most of them have now registered with the table tennis section of the Alake Sports Complex, to work harder on themselves and excell in the future edition of the competition

The SWAN called on stakeholders including philanthropists and corporate organizations to compliment government in the development of sports in the state

“We are calling on multi-national companies to partner with the State Sports Council Council, sports associations in the state to see on how we can galvanized sports to discover future talents for major national and international competitions”, he pleaded

High point of the event was the presentation of special medals to the SSG, State Commissioner of Sports Development, Mr. Wasiu Isiaka and top officials of the State Sports Council

The Financial Services Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in collaboration with Fidelity Bank PLC hosted its highly anticipated business conference themed: Powering Nigerian Businesses for Growth.

The conference had the Honourable Minister of Trade and Investment Dr Doris Nkiruka Ozoka-anita, MD CEO of Fidelity Bank Mrs Nneka Onyeali Ikpe, MD CEO, KSBC Knowledge Resources Ltd, Mr. Chika Mbonu amongst other dignitaries in attendance.

In his welcome address, the President, Asiwaju (Dr) Michael Olawale-Cole, (CON), thanked the participants and emphasized the importance of this conference at this very critical time in the history of the country’s enormous economic challenges. He said such a platform provides an avenue to discuss the Nigerian Economy and promote business prosperity. While acknowledging the high poverty and unemployment levels, he emphasized the need to decisively shift from a survival phase into a growth phase by exploring manufacturing to explore growth opportunities.

He noted that the Federal Government has embarked on several critical reforms to ease the free flow of capital for investors, and expressed optimism that these will help improve the economy and ensure stability.

The event also featured a panel discussion themed: ‘’Key Issues Confronting Businesses in the Economy and Opportunities for Business Growth”.